Most local knapweeds (Centaurea spp.) look similar to bull thistle or Canada thistle. However, you’re more likely to find your knapweed in patches instead of lone like bull thistles. Spotted knapweed (C. maculosa) is noted in Haliburton Flora on the edge of the highway, which is where I’ve seen it too. Another Centaurea is bachelor’s … [Read more…]
Oh, ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). This maligned plant while rare-ish in Haliburton and considered a “weed” in this part of Ontario is actually native to North America. It’s at least as valuable to a swath of wildlife as it is likely to cause a human to sneeze. You might find ragweed here along a roadside or … [Read more…]
Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) is an edible and medicinal plant that is highly valued for its tranquilizing effect on the nervous system. Ontario’s native blue vervains are pollinator friendly beauties. Finding blue vervain in the wild around Haliburton was uncommon when Haliburton Flora was compiled, but I have seen numerous small wild patches so it … [Read more…]
Selfheal or heal-all (Prunella vulgaris) is another edible and medicinal wild plant from the mint family. It doesn’t really heal-all, but it’s still a well rounded astringent plant with many uses. We have a mix of European and native selfheal in Ontario. Common around Haliburton, you’re most likely to find it in your lawn. You … [Read more…]
Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare) is an edible and medicinal plant that’s a lot like comfrey and borage in usage. It even has the same toxic PAs (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) as comfrey. That’s something to consider besides the spiny bristles covering this plant. If you’re prone to roadside walks, I’m sure you’ve noticed this electric blue flowered … [Read more…]
Another escapee from settler cultivation around here, comfrey is an historically renown and presently semi-controversial edible and medicinal plant. Around Haliburton, we have both common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and the blue flowered wild sort (now classified as Andersonglossum boreale). The proper one of the title name has creamy yellow flowers. The pictured purple flowered I … [Read more…]